Motor actuated massager and stimulator



' Dec. 28, 1954 c. BRANDENFELS 2,698,014 MOTOR ACTUATED MASSAGER AND STIMULATOR Filed NOV. 27. 1953 INVENTOR. Carl BPQIZdQILfQJS United States Patent MOTOR ACTUATED MASSAGER AND STIMULATOR Carl Brandenfels, St. Helens, Oreg.

Application November 27, 1953, Serial No. 394,741

Claims. (Cl. 12857) This invention relates generally to manipulating and massaging devices for use on the limbs, body and head of a human being and is specifically related to devices for toning up the tissues of the human body, especially the scalp tissues.

This invention is directly related to my United States Patent Number 2,683,454, and in fact is substantially identical thereto except for the provision of means for its actuation.

As stated in United States Patent Number 2,683,454, it is well known that hair, itself inert and consisting of the fibrous substance keratin, grows in tiny tubular shafts known as follicles which dot the scalp and penetrate into the scalp about half an inch. Each follicle forms a small bulb at its base, encasing a projection of tissue with tiny blood vessels called the papilla from which the hair draws its nourishment. Hair will continue to grow as long as the hair follicles remain undamaged, the follicle openings at the top of the scalp remain unimpaired and the hair roots receive a sufficient blood supply. The hair roots draw nourishment from several sources of blood supply going up into the scalp. Blood is furnished the scalp through the Y-shaped artery going up each side of the throat under the ears, one branch going behind the ears and up the scalp and the other branch going in front of the ears close to the ear lobes and up the scalp. Blood is also furnished the scalp through an artery going up the back of the neck from the shoulders to the scalp.

Blood is also furnished the scalp through sources passing through what are called the diploic blood vessels inside the spongy tissue of the skull bones and furnish blood mainly to the back top of the scalp and to the high part of the temple on either side. All of these blood supplies branch out into a network of very tiny blood vessels, called the capillary system, part of which nourish the hair follicles. Sebaseous gland ducts entering the hair follicles provide lubrication for both the scalp and hair, and unless the hair roots are nourished by adequate blood supply and the openings at the scalp where the hair shafts emerge from the follicles are unimpaired, baldness usually results.

Baldness is largely caused by a diminution in mobility and tenseness in the scalp tissue usually caused by the stretching of the bony skull cap which compresses the blood vessels supplying the scalp and thereby impairing, if not entirely injuring, the cellular tissue and causing the degeneration of the hair follicles due to lack of nutrition. Such a devitalized condition may be overcome by proper stimulation of the scalp and the surrounding area of baldness, to induce the flow of an adequate supply of nutrients to the hair follicles.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a motor actuated device for the purpose of producing this stimulation by inducing the flow of an adequate supply of blood to the regions where the hair roots have not been completely destroyed and to restore circulation ofthis blood in the capillary system and to relieve tension in the scalp tissues.

Another object of my invention is to provide a motor actuated device for inducing artificial and lasting 'erythema by a dialation of the vascular system in the area under stimulation without detrimental abrasive friction tending to break down the tissue or vascular system.

Another object of my invention is to provide a massaging and manipulatory device which may be either hand or motor manipulated.

vStill another object of my invention is to provide a compactly designed and simplified articulated device which may also readily be employed to stimulate different portions of the human body regardless of the contours involved.

A further object of my invention is to permit the use of different types of massaging and stimulating'roller assemblies for special types of massaging and stimulating and making it possible to readily employ such assemblies by their easy removal from and replacement on the device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for changing the normal position of the roller assemblies in order to allow the use of the device for massaging and stimulating any portion of the body whether hand or motor actuated.

Other objects and advantages and the novel features of my invention and its characteristics will be more readily understood from the detailed description which follows, taken in connection "with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the device embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device embodying my invention, showing the manner of removably securing the motor assembly to the manipulating and massaging assembly; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional end view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction indicated, showing details of construction.

The structural details of the invention are revealed in the drawing which, by this reference, is made a part hereof, and consist of a massaging and manipulating assembly designated generally by reference character A, and which is revealed in my co-pending application hereinbefore" referred to. The motor assembly is generally designated by reference character B. While the construction of massaging and manipulating assembly A has not been altered in any degree and is clearly described in my co-pending application, nevertheless it is considered appropriate to describe said assembly somewhat in detail. The frame of assembly A is fabricated from a single sheet of metal having inherent spring like qualities and consists of a top 1 and end walls 2 and 3. The end walls terminate in a pair of transversely positioned sockets, not shown, each of which is adapted to receive and seat anchoring pins 4 and 5 respectively. The end walls gradually curve toward and join top 1. The frame, as formed, together with the inherent flexibility of the material from which it is fabricated, gives the frame the resiliency necessary for its successful employment as a support for the massaging and stimulating elements of the device.

There is provided at each side of and as an integral part of the top 1 of the frame, downwardly extending grip elements 6 and 7, which reduce the flexibility of and reinforce the frame at this point in order to provide a substantial gripping surface when used without the motor assembly B and to prevent its bending from the thrust created by the extension of the jack member yet to be described. Secured in any desirable manner to the underside of the top 1 and confined between grip elements 6 and 7 is a catch, not shown, the function of which will become evident from the description which follows.

A plurality of links 8 possessing identical longitudinal measurements, are positioned in end to end relationship and hingedly connected to form a chain. A plurality of links 9 equal in number to and having the same structural characteristics as links 8 are also positioned in end to end relationship and hingedly connected to each other to form a chain. These articulated dual chains, possessing identical structural characteristics, are joined to each other in spaced lateral relationship by a plurality of identical pins 10, each pin forming the connecting hinge between pairs of links 8 and 9 of each chain and thereby forming a single chain belt. A bushing, not shown, made of any desirable material having self-lubricating characteristics, surrounds each pin and is freely rotatable in relation thereto. These bushings define the maximum spacing between the dual chains formed by the links 8 and 9.

Rollers 11, the length of which is slightly less than bushings, are fixedly mounted on the bushings so that the pins act as shafts for the rollers and are made of any yielding material, such as a synthetic substance possessing the characteristics of durability, lightness in weight and with any desired peripheral configuration provided the surface creates a minimum of frictional resistance.

The pins 10 passing through the pairs of links 8 and 9 are fastened in rivet fashion at their free ends so that free but intimate movement is permitted at the link hinge JOlHtS.

The end links 811 and 9a are slightly wider than the remaining links 8 and 9 respectively and have anchor pins 4 and 5 transversely secured thereto midway between these links. Links 8b and 9b, not shown, are also slightly wider than links 8 and 9 respectively and have jack member 12 hingedly secured therebetween in any desirable fashion. This jack member is positioned relative to the rollers 11 so that it does not contact the peripheral surface of the rollers or in any way affect their rotation. To insure against this possibility stop elements 13 and 14 extend inwardly from the top of links 8]) and 9b respectively and limit the hinging movement of jack member 12. When it is desired to change the normal position of the roller assembly as shown in Fig. 2, jack member 12 is fitted into a catch positioned under top 1 between grip elements 6 and 7.

The roller assembly hereinabove described is removably anchored to frame of assembly A by setting the pins 4 and 5 in the transversely located sockets, not shown, at the end of Walls 2 and 3. The roller assembly is held in tensioned relation to the frame by the inherent flexibility of the material from which the frame is fabricated and the position of end walls 2 and 3 of the frame. Thus while the roller assembly is retained under tension, there is sufficient flexibility in the frame and the articulated construction of the chains to permit the rollers to follow the contour of any portion of the body to which the device may be applied. However, it may be desired to increase the tension of the roller assembly and to also change the normal position of the rollers in relation to the frame in order to permit the massaging and stimulating rollers to follow the contours of the body. This, of course, may be accomplished by the use of the jack member heretofore described. It should be noted that a roller extends beyond the ends 2 and 3 of the frame and thus insures against the contact of any portion of the body with end walls 2 and 3.

The motor assembly B consists of a casing 15 in which a motor 16 is confined. The power generated by motor 16 is transmitted to a cam arm 17 by a train of gears 18, of well known construction. A cam plate 19 is removably disposed upon the top 1 of the massaging and manipulating assembly A and has its sides 20 and 21 fitted over grip elements 6 and 7. Cam plate 19 is held tightly upon top 1 and against displacement in relation to grip elements 6 and 7 by the employment of a pair of bolt and nut assemblies 22 and 23, which may easily be disengaged in the event it is the desire to remove the motor assembly B from the massager and manipulating assembly A. A cam slot 24 is formed in cam plate 19, and cam 25, which depends from cam arm 17, fits into said slot so that upon the rotation of cam arm 17 by the train of gears 18 the massaging and manipulating assembly will be laterally oscillated in relation to the casing 15, which has a pair of grooves 26 and 27 formed therein and in which the projections 28 and 29, formed at the sides of cam plate 19, slidably fit. The usual switch 30 and cord 31 leading to a source of energy are provided for the motor 16.

From the foregoing description it should be clearly evident that the invention can be utilized for massaging or manipulating either by the use of hand power or motor power since the motor assembly B can be readily disengaged from the massaging and manipulating assembly A by the removal of the nut and bolt assemblies 22 and 23, and though such disengagement is possible, yet by reason of the structural detail of the motor assembly employed, a compact and efficient motor actuated massaging and manipulating device is provided so that the massaging assembly A can be readily oscillated.

Although I have found in actual practice that the device as shown and described is efficient and satisfactory in operation, it is obvious that various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts which will come within the scope of this invention, and, therefore, I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction and arrangement herein shown, except as specified in the following claims, in which I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a frame having springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, a socket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, a roller chain assembly removably positioned in said sockets in tensioned relationship to said frame, a portion of said chain assembly extending beyond each socket, and means secured to said frame to provide actuation therefor.

2. In a device of the class described, a frame having springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, a socket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, a roller chain assembly removably positioned in said sockets in tensioned relationship to said frame, a portion of said chain assembly extending beyond each socket, a cam plate secured to said frame, and means associated with said cam plate to impart horizontal movement thereto.

3. In a device of the class described, a frame having springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, a socket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, a roller chain assembly removably positioned in said sockets in tensioned relationship to said frames, means secured to the roller chain assembly and removably engageable with the underside of the frame top for increasing this tension and changing the normal contour of the chain assembly, and motor actuated means secured to said frame to impart movement thereto.

4. In a device of the class described, a frame having springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, a socket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, a roller chain assembly removably positioned in said sockets in tensioned relationship to said frames, means secured to the roller chain assembly and removably engageable with the underside of the frame top for increasing this tension and changing the normal contour of the chain assembly, stop members formed 011 the roller chain assembly to limit the movement of said frame means, and motor actuated means secured to said frame in intimate relation to said grip elements for imparting movement to said frame.

5. In a device of the class described, a frame having springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a socket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, a pair of transversely aligned chain belts joined together in spaced relationship, rotatable members supported between said chain belts, a pair of anchoring pins secured to and between said chain belts in spaced lateral relationship to each other being seated and anchored in the sockets formed in said frame to thereby hold the chains, when thusly anchored, in tensioned relationship to the frame, said belts when so anchored being adapted to yield longitudinally in relation to the frame in order to allow the rotatable members to conform to the contour of the body as the device is moved over and pressed thereagainst, and motor actuated means associated with said frame to impart horizontal movement thereto.

6. In a device of the class described, a frame having a socket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, a pair of transversely aligned chain belts joined together in spaced relationship, rotatable members supported between said chain belts, a pair of anchoring pins secured to and between said chain belts in spaced parallel relationship to each other being seated and anchored in the sockets formed in said frame to thereby hold the chains, when thusly anchored, in tensioned relationship to the frame, said belts when so anchored being adapted to yield longitudinally in relation to the frame in order to allow the rotatable members to conform to the contour of the body as the device is moved over and pressed thereagainst, means secured to the chain belts and re movably engageable with the underside of the frame top for increasing this tension and changing the normal contour of said belt and roller assembly, and means associated with said frame to impart movement thereto.

7. In a device of the class described, a frame having -springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame :at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, a socket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, a pair of transversely aligned chain belts joined together in spaced relationship, rotatable members supported between said chain belts, a pair of anchoring pins secured to and between said chains in spaced relationship to each other, belts being seated and removably anchored in the sockets formed in said frame to thereby hold the chains, when thusly anchored in tensioned relationship to the frame, said belts when so anchored being adapted to yield longitudinally in relation to the frame in order to allow the rotatable members to conform to the contour of the body as the device is moved over and pressed thereagainst, means secured to the chain belts and removably engageable with the underside of the frame top for increasing this tension and changing the normal contour of said belt and roller assembly, stop members formed on the chain belts to limit the movement of said means, and motor actuated means removably secured to said frame immediately above said grip elements to impart horizontal movement to said frame.

8. In a device of the class described, a frame having springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, a socket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, a pair of transversely aligned chain belts joined together in spaced relationship, rotatable members supported between said chain belts, a pair of anchoring pins secured to and between said chain belts immediately in rear of each end roller being seated and removably anchored in the sockets formed in said frame to thereby hold the chains, when so anchored, in tensioned relationship to the frame, said belts when so anchored being adapted to yield longitudinally in relation to the frame in order to allow the rotatable members to conform to the contour of the body as the device is moved over and pressed thereagainst and to have a roller extending beyond the confines of the frame structure, and a motor operated cam arrangement secured to said frame to impart movement to said frame.

9. In a device of the class described, a frame having springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, a socket formed tranversely of and at each end of the frame, a pair of tranversely aligned chain belts joined together in spaced relationship, rotatable members supported between said chain belts, a pair of anchoring pins secured to and between said chain belts immediately in rear of each end roller being seated and removably anchored in the sockets formed in said frame to thereby hold the chains, when so anchored, in tensioned relationship to the frame, said belts when so anchored being adapted to yield longitudinally in relation to the frame in order to allow the rotatable members to conform to the contour of the body as the device is moved over and pressed thereagainst and to have a roller extending beyond the confines of the frame structure, means secured to the chain belts and removably engageable with the underside of the frame top for increasing this tension and changing the normal contour of said belt and roller assembly, a cam plate secured to said frame in complementary relation to said grip elements, and means cooperatively associated with said carn plate to impart movement to said frame.

10. In a device of the class described, a frame having springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, a socket formed tranversely of and at each end of the frame, a pair of transversely aligned chain belts joined together in spaced relationship, rotatable members supported between said chain belts, a pair of anchoring pins secured to and between said chain belts immediately in rear of each end roller being seated and removably anchored in the sockets formed in said frame to thereby hold the chains, when so anchored, in tensioned relationship to the frame, said belts when so anchored being adapted to yield longitudinally in relation to the frame in order to allow the rotatable members to conform to the contour of the body as the device is moved over and pressed thereagainst and to have a roller extending beyond the confines at each end of the frame structure, means secured to the chain belts and removably engageable with the underside of the frame top for increasing this tension and changing the normal contour of said belt and roller assembly, stop members formed on the chain belts to limit the movement of said means, a cam plate removably secured to said frame immediately above said grip elements, and motor actuatedmeans cooperatively associated with saidcam plate to impart horizontal movement thereto.

11. In a device of the class described, a frame having springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, a socket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, a roller chain assembly removably positioned in said sockets in tensioned relationship to said frame, a portion of said chain assembly extending beyond each socket, a cam plate removably secured to said frame, a housing slidably positioned in relation to said cam plate, a motor in said housing, a cam movably positioned with respect to said cam plate, and a train of gears associated with said motor and said cam plate for translating the rotary motions of said motor to reciprocal motion of said cam plate.

12. In a device of the class described, a frame having springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, a socket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, a roller chain assembly removably positioned in said sockets in tensioned relationship to said frame, means secured to the roller chain assembly and removably engageable with the underside of the frame top for increasing this tension and changing the normal contour of the chain assembly, stop members formed on the roller chain assembly to limit the movement of said means, a cam plate removably secured to said frame, a housing slidably positioned in relation to said cam plate, a motor in said housing, a cam movably positioned with respect to said cam plate, and a train of gears associated with said motor and said cam for translating the rotary motions of said motor to reciprocal motion of said cam.

13. In a device of the class described, a frame having springlike qualities as an inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, a socket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, a pair of transversely aligned chain belts joined together in spaced relationship, rotatable members supported between said chain belts an anchoring pin secured to and between said chain belts immediately in the rear of each end roller being seated and removably anchored in the sockets formed in said frame to thereby hold the chains when in anchored position on said frame in tensioned relationship thereto, said belts when so anchored being, adapted to yield longitudinally in relation to the frame in order to allow the rotatable members to conform to the contour of the body as the device is moved over and pressed thereagainst and to have a roller extending beyond the confines of the frame structure, means secured to the chain belts and removably engageable with the underside of the frame top for increasing this tension and changing the normal contour of said belt and roller assembly, a cam plate secured to said frame in complementary relation to said grip elements, said plate having an elongated opening therein, a casing slidably associated with said plate, a motor within said casing, a train of gears cooperatively aligned with the shaft of said motor, a cam carrying crank secured to said train of gears, a cam secured to said crank and at all times positioned in the elongated opening in said cam plate whereby upon the rotation of said crank by the movement of said train of gears said cam plate and the massaging and manipulating assembly is reciprocated.

14. A device characterized as in claim 13 including rfneans for detachably securing said cam plate to said rame.

1-5. In a device of-th'e class described, in combination, a frame having springlike qualities as in inherent part thereof, a pair of grip elements extending from the top of the frame adapted to reduce the inherent flexibility of the frame at that point and providing a substantial gripping surface, asocket formed transversely of and at each end of the frame, together in spaced relationship, rotatable members supported between said chain belts, a pair of anchoring pins secured to and between said chain belts being seated and removably anchored in the sockets formed in said frame to thereby hold the the chains, when in such anchored position, in tensioned relationship to' the frame, said belts when so anchored being adapted to yield longitudinally in relation to the frame in order to allow the rotatable members to conform to the contour of the body as the device is moved over and pressed thereagainst, means secured to the chain belts and removably engageable with the underside of the frame top for increasing this tension and changing the normal contour of said belt and roller assembly, stop members formed on the chain belts to limit the movement of said means, and motor actuated means removably secured to said frame immediately above said grip elements to impart horizontal movement to said frame; said means including a cam plate secured to said frame and adapted for reciprocation by said motor actuated means.

Name Date Hemp Oct. 20, 1-931 Number 

